Comparing the USA and Buridan’s ass (donkey).

Buridan's ass refers to a hypothetical situation wherein an ass (a donkey) that is equally hungry and thirsty is placed precisely midway between a bale of hay and a bucket of water. Since the paradox assumes the donkey will always go to whichever is closer, it will die of both hunger and thirst since it cannot make any rational decision to choose one over the other. The paradox is named after the 14th century French philosopher Jean Buridan. A variation of the paradox substitutes the hay and water with two identical piles of hay; the donkey, now unable to choose between the two, dies of hunger.

Compare and consider the following:-

The US economy: the US congress cannot collectively decide whether to reduce the country’s level of debt by raising taxes on the very wealthy or by cutting the cost of welfare that will harm the less wealthy and under-privileged – so it does nothing and the level of debt continues to increase!

US gun control: the US congress cannot (or will not) collectively decide to reduce access to high-powered weapons. One side refuses point blank (excuse the pun) to contemplate ANY regulation or law that limits gun ownership. The other wants significant restrictions placed on gun ownership. Therefore collectively they do nothing – and people continue to die from gun related violence!

I believe that the US Congress is in the position of Buridan’s donkey – the congressmen and women cannot make up their collective mind between doing what is best for the country of America or doing what is best for them to preserve their positions in the congress. They are precisely in the middle between these two positions - so they do nothing.

It is to be hoped, sincerely, that intelligent people can and will make statesman like decisions to do the best for all concerned.  I believe the rest of the world finds it hard to believe that the (self- appointed) leading country in the world – it has the most powerful economy in the world and presumes to hold the moral high ground – cannot get its own house (of congress) in order.

So nothing is done and the level of debt increase and people continue to get shot – talk of Buridan’s donkey or ass (if you prefer)!!